'Two steps forward and one step back' for road crews working to reopen flooded highways

DETROIT, MI -- Crews were making progress and reopening a stretch of I-94 Tuesday afternoon, but were struggling with other flooded roadways as rain continued to fall and worsen flooding that followed extraordinary levels of precipitation Monday.

"It's almost two steps forward and one step back," said Michigan Department of Transportation spokesperson Diane Cross.

"We just have never had this happen before on five freeways at the same time."

More than 6 inches of rain fell Monday in some Metro Detroit communities, and stretches of I-94, I-75, I-696, M-10 and Southfield Freeway remained closed due to flooding Tuesday afternoon.

"The ground is water-soaked," Cross said. "It cannot take any more water the creeks and sewer systems are full."

A stretch of I-94 near 10 Mile Road was reopened before the evening commute Tuesday, but other portions of the same highway -- eastbound between Greenfield Road and Michigan Avenue, and westbound between I-96 and Greenfield Road -- remained closed.

Cross said progress was being made to reopen M-10 between Davison Freeway and Linwood in Detroit.

But critical stretches of I-696 between Woodward Avenue and I-94 in Oakland and Macomb counties could remain closed into the night.

"That one is a big unknown," Cross said. "We're doing a lot of cleaning, but we're getting more rain."

And opening Southfield Freeway between Ford road and I-94 depended on the performance of a nearby drainage system.

"We need the Ecorse Creek to ebb," Cross said. "That one's unknown."

A closed portion of I-75 near I-696 saw "many, many feet of water" and could also remain shut down into the night.

Power outages and shortages in some areas made pumping water more difficult, Cross said, and removing abandoned vehicles was another factor for crews working round-the clock to open highways.

"We've got erosion," Cross said. "Once we get out the water, we have to check the road... There's so much to do... Some people have never gone home since this rain stared 24 hours ago."

Some highways could still be closed in the morning.

"I would imagine most of them are going into the night," said Cross, who recommended commuters check for closures here before leaving for work in the morning.

"Get up early and check. Even if it says open, plan at least one alternate route."